Fans angry over ‘missing’ iPhone 7 headphone socket

(Media Release) More than 300,000 people have signed a petition urging Apple not to ditch the headphone socket from the version of the iPhone due for release this autumn.

Online reports suggest Apple plans to omit the 3.5mm socket to make the iPhone 7 thinner and more waterproof, with more room for the battery.

The Fast Company reported it would rely on the Lightning cable port, currently used for charging, for sound output.

Others suggest Apple will ship the iPhone 7 with wireless headphones.

The Sum of Us, a website “fighting for people over profits”, which organised the petition, said: “Not only will this force iPhone users to dole out additional cash to replace their hi-fi headphones, it will singlehandedly create mountains of electronic waste that likely won’t get recycled.”